Rhys Webb will provide stern competition to Mike Phillips for Wales’ scrum-half jersey this season, according to Ospreys backs coach Gruff Rees.
The 25-year-old, who made four appearances for Wales in the RBS 6 Nations earlier this year, has been in impressive form at the start of the new season.
Combining with Dan Biggar, a fly-half with eight RBS 6 Nations appearances of his own, Webb has helped the Ospreys top the PRO12 table in these early stages after three consecutive wins.
And with everybody keen to impress head coach Warren Gatland in the build up to next year’s World Cup, Rees believes Webb can challenge for a leading role.
“Rhys can get back into the Welsh team without question,” said Rees. “He started games for Wales in the RBS 6 Nations and deservedly so.
“There are some credible challengers and it is becoming a competitive position.
“Whereas it might have been sparse before in the past behind Mike [Phillips], the guys are pushing through and Rhys is at the front of the queue.
“It has been a fantastic start of the season for him. He has come off the back of another bad injury but he has returned bigger, stronger and faster than before.
“That is credit to his aptitude for training and thirst for knowledge and the momentum of having a proper summer’s work.
“He is kicking well for us at the moment which is an important feature and defensively he is improving.
“The tries will get the attention but it’s the substance around his game I like at the moment.”
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